Burberry Prorsum

A quick flash of lipstick and then it was off to the Palazzo di Somethingo for best Brit export of them all – Burberry Prorsum. As a brand Britain can have no better ambassador flying its flag over the globe and, under <a href="#" onclick="window.open('/vogue_daily/popup.asp?keyword=Christopher bailey','search', 'toolbar=0,status=no,menuBar=0,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,width=250,height=450,left=10,top=100')" class="maintextimageu"> Christopher Bailey, all the right characteristics are highlighted. Stella Tennant sat front row alongside ceo Rose Marie Bravo and it all seemed terribly romantic as the clear plastic roof allowed you to see the stars (if you squinted through the lights). Beautiful South sang <I>Be My Valentine</I> for soft ribbed beanie hats in peachy orange, a green cardie with a satin bow under the bust and a mustard skirt – the inspiration was HRH Princess Margaret on holiday in the Sixties with Lord Snowdon. Burnt and sandy, even banana, there were yellows, browns, leafy greens, terracotta, and all the colours of a walk in the English countryside. Silk ribbons were the order of the day as the ideallic girlfriend wandered through a perfect Burberry beautiful world in florals or floaty dresses of soft oyster pink crepe with soft curling lapels, silk faille, duchesse satins and knee-length dresses in cotton sateen. Maria Carla appeared under a gold brocade over-sized trench and Gemma Ward after her in mint ice cream-coloured sequinned top. The key here is the bow under the bust and to mix opulence with the great outdoors – aristocratic with a touch of anarchy. (September 28 2005, PM)